Corn-sheller.



C. GRAVES.

CORN SHELLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1915.

Patented June 15, 1915.

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CLARK GRAVES, O SANDWICH, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO SANDWICH MANUFACTURINGCO., OF SANDWICH, ILLINOIS, A. COBFORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CORN-SHELLER.

intense.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 15, 1915.

Application led March 8, 1915. Serial No. 12,927.

. Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCorn-Shellers, of which the following is a specification, and which areillustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

The invention relates to corn shellers, and more especially to thoseinitially intended to be operated by hand.

The object of the invention is to provide means for obtaining theselective shelling of different parts of the ears of corn, and therebypermitting a separation of the larger and more perfect kernels from thedistorted and smaller kernels.

In the preparation of-seed corn it is not only desirable that the largerand well lled ears should be selected, but it is also a common practiceto retain for this use only the larger and more perfect kernels, such asare derived from the intermediate portions of the ears. This practicerequires that the kernels shall be separately removed from the endportions of the ears. In carrying out this practice it has heretoforebeen necessary to remove the kernels from the butt and tip portions ofthe ears by hand, theremainder of the ear being thereafter shelled bythe use of such a machine as would otherwise be used for shelling theentire ear.

The present invention proposes to reduce the labor of separatelyremoving the smaller and distorted kernels from the butt and tipportions of the ears. The invention accordingly contemplates theprovisionof means for aecomplishing` this'result. In thepreferredarrangement this means is associated with mechanism which maythen be employed for removing the larger and more perfect kernels fromthe intermediate portions of the ears.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a handoperated corn shelling machine embodying the features of improvementprovided by the invention; Fi 2 is a plan view taken on the line 22 ofFig. 1, some details of ordinary construction in machines of this Vclassbeing omitted; Fig. 3 is an enlarged end view of the butt and tipshelling means provided by the invention; Fig. t is a detail sectionalview taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a ed on ,each shaft.

detail side elevation showing a modified form of construction which maybe adopted when the parts are to be operated by power, some parts beingomitted; and Fig. 6 is a detail plan sectional view taken on the line6-6 of Fig. 5.

In carrying out the invention the parts will usually be associated upona framework forming a case, generally designated 10, and comprising theside walls 11 and 12 `through which are extended the horizontal shafts13 and 14. The shelling of the intermediate portions of the ears isaccomplished by the coperation of the beveled shelling wheel 15 and thetoothed faced picker wheel 16, both of well known construction. Thesewheels are mounted upon the shafts 13 and 14, respectively, within thechamber of the case 10. The shafts 13, 14 are connected to rotate inopposite directions and at different speeds, as by the intermeshing gearand pinion 17, 18. As shown, the gear17 is formed on the rim of thepicker wheel 16. The pinion 18 is mounted on the shaft 13 within theVcase 10.

When the parts are to be operated by hand, a hand crank 19 is providedat one side of thecase 10. rlihis crank is conveniently mounted upon oneend of a short shaft 26 journaled in a bearing bracket 27, the bracket27 also providing bearings for the adjacent ends of the shafts 13 and1&1. The crank shaft 26 and the shaft 14 are operatively connected bygears 28, 29, one mount- A balance wheel 20 is desirably applied to theshaft 13 at the remote side of the case from the hand crank 19.

'Ihe means provided for separately shelling the butt and tip portions ofthe ears conveniently comprises an internally ribbed shelling cup 21having tapering walls. The shelling of these parts of an ear isaccomplished by successively entering them into the chamber of the cup21 against the ribs, as 22, and effecting a relative rotation of the cupand ear.

In the form of construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4f inclusive, theentering of the end portions of an ear of corn into the chamber of theshelling cup 21, and the relative rotation of the cup and ear areaccomplished without interruption of the operation of the hand crank 19,by extending the shaft 13 beyond the balance wheel 20,

as indicated at 23, and by continuing the Walls of the cup 21 to providea tubular hub 21 into which the extended portion 23 of the shaft 13 maybe entered. A'set screw 25, provided in the hub 24, serves for fixingthe hub upon the shaft in any longitudinally adjusted position. y

During the operation of the hand crank 19 with one hand, in such manneras to r0- tate the picker Wheel 16 in the direction indicated by thearrow on Fig. 1, a selected ear of corn is grasped with the other handand one end entered in the cup 21 and firmly held, the operator reachingover the top of the case 10 and balance Wheel 20, and the kernels ofcorn being removed from the entered end of the ear by the rubbing actionof the ribs 22 occasioned by the rotation of the cup With the shaft 13.The ear of corn may then be reversed and its other end entered in thecup 21 and shelled in a like manner, after Which the ear will be appliedto the shelling Wheel 15 and the kernels removed from its intermediateportion by the cooperation therewith of thepickerwheel 16.

The invention permits the selective separation of the larger and moreperfect kernels desirable for seed, found `upon the inter- .inediateportion of the ear, from the less desirable immature and distorted`kernels 0ccurring upon the end portions of the ear, Without thenecessity of removing the kernels from any part of the ear by hand. Ifdesired, the end portion 23 of the shaft 13 may be extended into thechamber of the cup for engagement with the entered end of the ear. Underthese circumstanceslthe end of the shaft serves as a limiting stop fordetermining the extent to which the ear may be entered into the cup,and, as such, is capable of adjustment through the adjustablepositioning ofthe hub 24 by the use of the set-screw 25.

In the form of construction illustrated in Figs. 5` and 6, provision ismade for operating the parts of the machine .by power. In this instanceno part of the shaft 13 is extended beyond the hub of the balance Wheel20, but a belt pulley 30 is bolted against the side of the balance Wheelfor receiving a driving belt, not shown. Preferably a side face of thebelt pulley 30 is provided With a flat portion 31 for engagement Withthe spokes, as 32, of the balance Wheel 20, and with a socketed portion33 for receiving the hub 3ft of the balance Wheel. Fitting the socketedportion 33v over the hub 3A serves to center the belt pulley against thebalance 'i the extended portion 23 of the shaft 13,

illustrated in Figs. 1, 2,3 and t. In either casethe shellingcup 21 isrotated With the shaft 13, and is used for removing the kernels from thebutt and tip portions of the ears ofcorn before these are applied to theshelling wheel 15.

I claim as my invention-v I Ina corn Sheller, in combination, aninternally roughened tapering cup having its Walls extended yfrom-thesmaller end of the cup into the form of a tubular hub, yand a spindleextending through the bore of the hub into the cup chamber and ontowhich the hub is adjustably held for rotating the Vcup `and forming anadjustable stop limiting the endvvise entrance of an ear of corny intothe cup.

. i CLARK GRAVES?. Witnesses:

A. E. IVOODWARD, I). C. SOUTHWICK.

Copies of -this patent vmay be `obtainedfor ve cents each,wby addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

